Pre-Game: Wild- Oct 20th

                                       VS: Minnesota Wild



 Matchup(s) of the Night:

1.) Matt Cullen VS Fraser and Jones: Last week when these teams faced off, the Oilers got picked apart by Minny's PP. They were 4 for 4 and would score in the first 30 seconds of each of the powerplays. Matt Cullen quarterbacks that powerplay and he looked like Peyton Manning out there, while Fraser and Jones looked like helpless CFL quarter backs. I think Renney gives these guys one more chance to hone their PK skills otherwise he's going to change things up. There were many occasions when Fraser would be blocking a shot from the point, and Jones is 3 feet directly behind him. They have to communicate and direct each other on the ice and can't go block the same shot. Matt Cullen is no Sergei Gonchar, so the Oilers really need to get there crap together and figure it out.
2.)  Brent Burns VS Top Line: Last game the Wild were obviously matching their best defenseman against Edmonton's most dynamic trio. He is a big body who plays positionally sound and makes few mistakes. Burns has some good offensive skills as well with a cannon and a solid first pass. The top line of Hesmky, Gagner, and Penner have to be in full harmony tonight as Burns plays around 25:00 minutes a night. Oilers have home ice advantage so when the top line wears down Burns on the cycle, Renney can throw out the newly acquainted line of Hall, Cogliano, and Brule to blow by him.

Keys to the Game: 
  The Oilers played well in the first 40 minutes of the game against Calgary. The last 20..............not so much. The Wild come in hot, with a 6-2 demolition of the Stanley Cup favorite Canucks. Edmonton seems to always struggle against the Wild. They are reluctant to play the dump and chase style that the Wild allow you to play. Instead they try to carry the puck in against a wall of Minny defenders. It's time for the Oil take what's given to them because the other strategies have not worked. When the puck is dumped in they need one player chasing down the puck and battling, and another in there for support. The third guy high to cut off the outlet pass and to back check. Last game the wild had about 4 odd man rushes which is a ridiculous amount.

The most frustrating part of Edmonton currently and over the past couple seasons is watching them get creamed in the face off dot. They are 2nd last in the league in face off percentage with a 40.2% efficiency rate. Fraser lost every draw on the PK and the Wild capitalized quickly. But Cogliano is the worst of all of them. Why they don't play this kid on the wing and Brule at centre baffles us. He gets man handled on the draw and in the corners. Face offs are a huge part of hockey as it is a puck possesion game, so the Oilers need to win those key face offs in the defensive end which killed them in there previous appearance against the Wild. The Hockey gods are with Edmonton today. Niklas Backstrom will not be in net, so the Oilers have a chance of winning this game. Jose Theodore will be playing his first game. He will be rusty as he has had limited off season game time and training. The Oilers need to get shots on him early and from every angle. Even though a lot of the Oilers shots have been coming from the outside lately, it wouldn't be a bad thing today to test Theodore. He likes to play a butterfly style, so expect a lot of high shots from the forwards and on the back end.

Player Analysis:Taylor Hall: Although he was moved down to play on the 3rd line, this may be a good thing for him. Hall needs to be more aggressive and less timid. He shy's away from contact instead of embracing it. That line has incredible speed, and with him being the most talented player, it might force him to create on his own and expand his creativity.

Magnus Paajarvi: As we have said in the past couple games, he is looking more and more comfortable playing in the NHL. With 2 points last game M.P.S will be looking ot build on a good game. He was promoted and will have the playmaking abilities of Horcoff and Eberle at his side. You have great chemistry on that line: Eberle (shooter), Horcoff (passer), Paajarvi (Power forward).

Dustin Penner: Penner is going to have at least another 30 and 30 season. With Hemsky feeding him the puck there is no excuse for him to at least match is previous seasons numbers. He will lead the team in goals, and will be consistent all year. Look for him to pot a couple today.

Sam Gagner: The start of this season has been tough for Sam Gagner. He has played below average but is still leading this team in points. We believe that he will emerge as this teams number 1 centre with a 70 point season if he stays healthy. Gagner looks faster than last year, but weaker. That 10 lbs of weight he lost seems to be hurting him a bit.

Kurtis Foster: Foster has been the worst defenseman this year for Edmonton. He has been invisible for the most part, and when he is noticed, it is usually for a giveaway or someone is burning him. He passes the puck in the offensive end WAY to much. He has one of the best shots in the NHL and he needs to use it. He has been a poor mans Souray thus far.

Andrew Cogliano: You've got to feel bad for this kid. His name constantly swirls around in trade rumors and he has degressed since his rookie year. But he needs to give Edmontonians a reason that he should be a core player for this team. He has a positive attitude but his play lacks finish and physicality.

Nikolai Khabibulin: Khabby has been one of the best goalies so far into this young season. He has been the Oilers best player and hasn't shown any ill effects from his back. Hopefully he can stay healthy this season because you can see the confidence this team has in him.